Exploring the Ancient Beauty of My Son Sanctuary

Located in Quang Nam Province, Viet Nam, about 37km from Hoi An ancient town, My Son Sanctuary is a profound testament to the ancient Cham civilization. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore a remarkable collection of Hindu temples, showcasing the architectural brilliance and spiritual depth of a bygone era. For any visitor who wants to understand the rich cultural tapestry of Vietnam beyond its famous beaches and vibrant cities, My Son Sanctuary offers an invaluable and authentic experience.

Overview of My Son Sanctuary

To help visitors plan more conveniently, below is information about the address and entrance fee to My Son Sanctuary:

My Son Sanctuary address

My Son Sanctuary is located in Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province. Visitors can travel by many different means such as motorbike, private car, taxi or join available tours from Da Nang or Hoi An

About 70 km southwest of Da Nang City
About 40 km west of Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An to Hue private car via Hai Van Pass

Hoi An Taxi’s private car service is convenient, comfortable and absolutely private. You will be picked up and dropped off at your own pace, without having to worry about waiting or sharing a car with strangers, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable journey. In addition, our professional and knowledgeable local drivers will help you have the safest and most convenient travel experience.

My Son Sanctuary entrance fee latest update 2025

The entrance fee to My Son Sanctuary includes the entrance fee, the electric car service to transfer visitors from Khe The Bridge to the tower area, and the opportunity to enjoy Cham folk art performances at the relic.

For Vietnamese tourists: 100,000 VND/person/trip
For foreign tourists: 150,000 VND/person/trip
Reference opening hours: 6:00 – 17:00 from Monday to Sunday.

Ticket prices may change according to the time and policy of the relic management board. Visitors should check the most updated information before the trip.

History and Culture of Champa

The Cham people were an indigenous people in Southeast Asia who founded the Kingdom of Champa, which flourished from the 2nd to the 15th centuries. Influenced by Hinduism from India, they built many temple complexes throughout their territory, of which My Son was the most important. This holy site served as the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for many centuries, and was dedicated primarily to Shiva, one of the main Hindu gods.

Construction at My Son began in the 4th century under King Bhadravarman I and continued for over nine centuries. Each successive king added to the complex, creating a diversity of architectural styles that reflected the development of Cham art and religious practices. The temples were built using a unique brick-laying technique, without the use of mortar, demonstrating the advanced understanding of engineering at the time. The elaborate carvings and sculptures that decorate the structures depict Hindu gods, mythical creatures and scenes from everyday life, providing insight into Cham beliefs and society.

Architecture of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is not a single temple but a cluster of temples and towers, divided into several different groups, each designated by a letter (A, B, C, D, etc.). Although many structures were damaged or destroyed during conflicts, especially the Vietnam War, the remaining ruins still convey the grandeur of the original complex.

When entering the sanctuary, visitors usually follow a designated path that leads through the best-preserved temple groups. Each group typically consists of a main temple (kalan), dedicated to a deity, surrounded by smaller outbuildings, often used for rituals or as storage. The architectural styles vary between the groups, reflecting the different construction periods.

Groups B, C, D: These groups are among the oldest and represent the original Cham architectural style. The brickwork here is particularly remarkable, demonstrating the precision and skill of the Cham builders. These structures are often relatively simple in design but surprisingly solid in structure.
Group A: Although heavily damaged, Group A was once the most important and impressive complex at My Son. It houses the main temple dedicated to Bhadresvara (a combination of Shiva and King Bhadravarman I), considered the protector of the kingdom. Excavations and restoration efforts continue to reveal more about its original layout and decoration.
Group G: This group represents a later period of Cham art, with more elaborate carvings and decorative elements. The remaining structures here offer a glimpse into the development of Cham artistic sensibilities.

Visitors will observe the typical Cham tower design, distinguished by a square or rectangular base, rising in several tiers, often topped by a distinctive curved roof resembling a lotus bud. The main material used was fired brick, although some later structures incorporated stone elements. The apparent lack of mortar in the construction is a recurring wonder, with theories suggesting the use of resin from a local tree or a sophisticated interlocking technique.

What attracts tourists to My Son Sanctuary?

My Son Sanctuary is not only an ancient temple complex but also an attractive destination for tourists because of many unique factors:

Unique Cham Architecture and Sculpture

This is where the architectural and sculptural quintessence of the ancient Cham people is concentrated. Visitors will be amazed by the mortarless construction technique, the closely packed baked bricks forming towers that have stood for centuries. The sophisticated patterns and reliefs on the tower walls depict Hindu gods, Apsara dancers, and legendary creatures, demonstrating the ingenuity and great creativity of the Cham people. Each group of towers has a unique architectural style of each period, showing the continuous development of Champa art.

The profound historical and cultural value of My Son Sanctuary

My Son is a living testament to a civilization that once flourished in Southeast Asia. Coming here, visitors not only admire the works but also learn about the history of the Champa kingdom, spiritual life, Hindu beliefs and the mysteries of the ancient Cham people’s construction techniques. This is a meaningful open-air museum, helping visitors better understand Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.

Sacred and peaceful space

Located in the middle of a lush green valley surrounded by majestic mountains, My Son Sanctuary offers a quiet space, separate from the noise of modern life. The combination of ancient mossy architecture and beautiful nature creates a beauty that is both wild and majestic, evoking a sense of peace and contemplation.

Unique Cham cultural performance

Many visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Apsara dances and Cham ethnic musical instruments right at the relic site at 9:15am or 2:15pm. These performances are not only entertainment but also a bridge to help visitors feel more clearly about the culture and art of the Cham people that are still preserved to this day.

Experience the unique ancient road

With small roads running through the tower areas, visitors can freely explore, admire and take photos of unique architectural corners. Information boards are placed everywhere, providing necessary knowledge, helping visitors discover the stories hidden behind each brick and each stone statue.

Notes for an interesting experience at My Son Sanctuary

To make your trip to explore My Son Sanctuary truly memorable and complete, visitors should note the following points. These experiences will help you fully enjoy the ancient beauty and sacred space of this world heritage.

Best time to visit My Son Sanctuary

Quang Nam weather has 2 seasons: rainy season (September to December) and dry season (February to August). Usually the most ideal time to visit My Son Sanctuary is from February to April. At this time, the weather will be quite cool and not too sunny, you should still bring an umbrella, a thin jacket and sunscreen.
Avoid the rainy season (September to November): This time in Central Vietnam often has heavy rain, and big storms around September, which can disrupt your trip and make moving around the relic site more difficult.

Prepare clothes and personal items

You should choose cool, sweat-absorbent clothes because you will be walking a lot. Because My Son Sanctuary is a spiritual relic site, choose polite clothes, avoid clothes that are too short or revealing to show respect.
Prioritize comfortable sneakers or flat shoes because you will be walking quite a lot on uneven paths and terrain.
Hats, caps, umbrellas and sunscreen: Especially important in the dry season (March to August) when the sun is quite harsh.
Bring enough water to keep your body hydrated during the walk. You can also buy at the stalls in the area.

Hire a guide at My Son Sanctuary

If you want a deeper insight, hire a local guide. They will provide stories, detailed knowledge about the history, architecture, and mysteries of the Cham people’s construction techniques, which information boards cannot convey. Ticket price is about 150,000 VND

Respect the relics and the environment

Do not touch the artifacts and do not climb the towers. The structures in My Son have been around for hundreds of years and are easily damaged. Touching, climbing or writing/drawing on the walls and sculptures can affect the structure and beauty of the relics.
Do not litter. Please dispose of trash in the right place to keep the landscape clean and beautiful.
My Son Sanctuary is a sacred place, please keep your voice low, avoid making noise that affects the peace of the space and other visitors.
Always read and follow the instructions and signs in the relic area to ensure your safety and contribute to protecting the heritage.

The My Son Sanctuary offers more than ancient ruins; it offers a profound connection to a remarkable civilization that once flourished in central Vietnam. It is a place of historical significance, architectural wonder, and spiritual resonance.

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